Magnetic tape dictating machine control



1967 G. MISSRIEGLER MAGNETIC TAPE DICTATING MACHINE CONTROL Filed Nov.2, 1961 FIG.2

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INVENTOR GERHARD MISSRIEGLE R j AGENT United States Patent 6 3,305,240MAGNETIC TAPE DICTATBNG MACHINE CONTROL Gerhard Missriegler, Vienna,Austria, assignor to North American Philips Company, Inc., New York,N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Fiied Nov. 2, 1961, Ser. No. 14?,601Claims priority, application Austria, Dec. 23, 1960, A 9,641/60 6Claims. (Cl. 274-11) The invention relates to a magneticrecorder/reproducer particularly useful as a dictating machine in whichat least a part of the movement of the sound carrier or tape can becontrolled by means of push buttons or keys which can be locked in acommon lock pawl and in which for automatic interruption of the movements of the sound carrier normally controlled by the keys anelectromagnet is provided which releases the lock pawl and consequentlysaid control keys when the current circuit of said electromagnet isclosed by appropriate markings provided on the sound carrier.

As 1 rule, the fast forward and return movement of the sound carrier canbe controlled by keys in this manner. In apparatus destined for generaluse, provision is also made of such control keys for the forwardmovement of the sound carrier at normal speed. In apparatus which is tobe used for dictating purposes, a construction is preferred, however, inwhich for controlling the forward movement at normal speed, a completelyindependent control, in particular a push button is provided on aremote-control unit, for example a hand microphone or combinationhandset (combination microphone and loudspeaker), a foot operatedpaddle, and the like. Another requirement in dictating apparatusconsists in that an independently controlled return or rewind of thesound carrier at lower speeds lower than fast rewind should be availablefor the dictated text to be easily rewound so it may be repeated andcorrected respectively. However, such a slow independently controlledreturn of the sound carrier is also 'highly appreciated in apparatus forgeneral use, since it facilitates the location of certain positions, forexample for cutting a tape-shaped sound carrier. In apparatus fordictating purposes, remote control is desired as a rule for such acontrol also.

According to the invention, in a magnetic recorder/reproducer, inparticular a dictating apparatus, in which movement of the sound carriercan be controlled by means of keys or push buttons each of which can belocked in its operating position by a common lock pawl and in which forthe automatic interruption of the movements of the sound carriercontrolled by the keys an electromagnet is provided which releases thekey by actuating the lock pawl when current flows. The current circuitof the electromagnet can be closed via markings provided on the soundcarrier, said electromagnet being also adapted for additionallycontrolling movement of the sound carrier. An additional current circuitcomprising a separate switch is provided in parallel with the currentcircuit which can be closed by means of the markings on the soundcarrier for the purpose hereinafter noted.

It will be clear that in the construction of a magneticrecorder/reproducer according to the invention, indeed a means has to beprovided by which the sound carrier is set in motion in the desired typeof movement, for example a shiftable or swingable intermediate wheelengaging at the position required, but that for controlling this wheelsubstantially no additional investment is required, namely only oneswitch. The mounting of such a switch on the apparatus is very simpleand does not 3,305,240 Patented Feb. 21, 1967 present the slightestdifiiculty to provide it on a remote control unit either.

The invention will now be described with reference to an embodiment. Forpurpose of description an apparatus is chosen, in which the fast forwardmovement and fast return movement of the sound carrier, as well as thecontrol from reproduction to recording can be effected by means oflockable keys. Push buttons for actuating the forward movement at normalspeed for recording and for actuating the return movement with low speedfor correction are provided on a remote-control unit. However, theinvention is not intended to be restricted to the example and thedetails described in the embodiment.

For further explanation, FIG. 1 shows a side view (partlydiagrammatically) of the key arrangement provided on the apparatus.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a device for obtaining the return of thesound carrier at low speed.

FIG. 3 shows the circuit arrangement used.

The juxtaposed operating keys or buttons 3 of the key arrangement orpush button array of the recorder consist of plates 1 which arejournalled in a swingable manner about a common shaft 2 which supportsthe keys on the recorder. Each plate has a projection 4 on each side;the front of each projection is bevelled. In addition, each plate 1comprises a plate-shaped projection 5 from which the devices (idlerpulleys) associated with each key for fast forward movement and fastreturn movement, or switching on to recording (not shown) arecontrolled. By springs 6 and stop members 7, the rest position of theoperating key is determined. A lock pawl is also included in the pushbutton array and consists of a plate 8 which extends along the row ofkeys and which is provided with a key or button 9. It is also supportedon the recorder and journalled in a swingable manner about a shaft 10. Aspring 11, together with a stop member 12, gives it an initial stressagainst the operating keys. In order that the plate 8 may operate as alock pawl for the operating buttons 3, catches 13 are rigidly providedon it below each plate 1. As may be seen from the partial cross-sectionin the drawing, the catches 13 are provided with a recess 14 in orderthat the plates 1, when pressed down into operating position by buttons3, are not hampered in their movement. The catches 13 are constructed sothat the inclined faces 15 of the projections 4 provided on a plate 1slide on the inclined face 16 of the associated catch 13 when anoperating key is pressed down, thereby pressing down the catch andconsequently also swinging the plate 8 against the action of the spring11 until the projections 4 can slide below the face 18 of the catch 13with their faces 17, as a result of which the operating button is lockedin its operating position. By pressing down on the button 9, the wholelock-pawl arrangement can be released, locked operating keys being alsoreleased and returned to the rest condition. In accordance with thefunctions chosen by keys 3 in the example, the fast forward and/or fastreturn movement respectively of the sound carrier is discontinued, orthe apparatus is switched back from recording to reproducing. The facesof the projections 4 as well as the catches 13 are constructed so that,when pressing down on an operating key, the lock pawl is released beforethe key is locked, in its operating position, thus movement of anoperating key effects only a release of the lock pawl.

For the automatic release of the lock pawl by means of the soundcarrier, an electromagnet 19 (FIG. 2) is provided which, on attractionof its armature 20, actuates a cable line 23 via a draw bar 21 and arocking lever 22. The line 23 is attached to the plate 8 and releasesthe lock pawl arrangement. FIG. 2 also diagrammatically shows the devicewith which a slow return movement of the 3 sound carrier can beeffected. For this purpose, the winding table 24 is driven by the flywheel 25, the shaft 26 of which is constructed as a capstan, via areducing intermediate wheel 27 and the belt 28. The intermediate wheel27 is journalled on a rocking lever 29 which is movably connected to thedraw bar 21. By this connection between flywheel 25 and wheel 27, theelectromagnet 19 not only disengages buttons 3 and tape movementcontrolled thereby but also effects a slow return movement of the soundcarrier. The spring 30 determines the rest position of the slow rewindidler 27 and cable line 23 is unloaded upon deenergizing electromagnet19 as well as by actuating one of the keys of the key arrangement 3, 9.

There are numerous possibilities of closing the current circuit of theelectromagnet 19 via markings provided on the tape. The circuitarrangement of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is based on an arrangementfrequently used for releasing a lock pawl. In this arrangement on anon-conductive sound carrier 31 a conductive coating 32 is provided on ashort section as a marking and in the circuit of the electromagnet 19,two contacts 33 are provided via which the sound carrier is conductiveas it shunts the contacts 33 and thus energy is provided for theelectromagnet 19. Parallel to this section of the current circuit of theelectromagnet 19, which can be closed through the marking on the soundcarrier, an additional current circuit 34 is provided which includes aswitch 35. This switch 35 is provided on a remote-control unit (notshown), for example a combination handset, a foot-operated switch, orthe like.

The conductive coating 32 closes contacts 33 only momentarily and servesonly to energize solenoid 19 momentarily for releasing the locking pawl8 and thus releasing the operating key 3. When the rod 21 is movedmomentarily by the solenoid 19, activated by closure of contacts 33, therewind idler 27 can engage the flywheen 25 momentarily, however,movement for releasing the lock pawl may be made shorter than movementfor engaging the idler 27 with the flywheel 25 so that even anunobjectional engagement of elements 25, 27 is prevented. As a result,only the lock pawl is released by closure of the contacts 33. Whenswitch 35 is closed, the solenoid 19 remains energized whereby thelocking pawl is released so that a previously depressed control key 3 isreleased and the idler 27 is brought against the fiywheel 25 so that theslow rewind operation is effected. Thus, one solenoid 19 isadvantageously utilized to shut off the machine when contacts 33 arebridged by conductor 32 on tape 31 and for the slow rewind operation ofthe tape controlled by the switch 35 which is in parallel with thecontacts 33.

Forward movement at normal speed of the sound carrier is controlledelectromagnetically (not fully shown). In the apparatus, a magnet 36 isprovided, the armature 37 of which moves a pressure roller (not shown)against the capstan 26. This can be done in a conventional manner and isconsequently not shown. Magnet 36 is energized by closing the switch 38also provided on the remote-control unit. In order to avoid thesimultaneous operations controlled by the switches 35 and 38, a switch39 which is connected in series with the switch 38, is also operated bythe switch 35 in a manner such that, when closing the current circuit ofthe magnet 19, the current circuit of the magnet 36 is opened. Thisarrangement has the additional advantage that the switch 38 may remainin its operating position (for example by a locking mechanism), if thesound carrier is to return some distance by closing the switch 35. Aftercompletion of the return, by opening the switch 35, the forward movementimmediately begins again.

If an additional type of movement is to be controlled by theelectromagnet 19, for example the forward movement of the sound carrierat normal speed, the recordingreproducing switch is removed from thepush button array 3, 9 and a separate switch on a remote control unit orhand set is provided in order that during the normal forward movementone may switch at will to recording or reproducing. In that case, it isof advantage to connect said separate switch to the switch for thecurrent circuit of the electromagnet, for example in a manner such thatsaid switches release one another mutually and only simultaneousactuation of both switches renders the normal forward movement wtihrecording possible.

What is claimed is.:

1. In a magnetic tape recorder/reproducer particularly useful as adictating machine the combination therewith comprising a slow rewindcircuit means, an electromagnet controlled by said circuit, an armaturemoveable by said electromagnet, a rod connected with said armature andmovable therewith, a first pivotal lever having one end connected withsaid rod and its other end connected with means for controllingtermination of movement of said tape, a second pivotal lever having oneend connected with said rod, a slow rewind idler wheel, a flywheel meansand a winding table means, a belt drive between said rewind idler wheeland said winding table means, said rewind idler wheel being rotatablymounted on the other end of said second pivotal lever and moveable bysaid lever into driven engagement with said flywheel upon movement ofsaid rod and armature for driving said tape in a rewind directionwhereby said motion of said tape may be terminated and said tape rewoundat a slow rewind speed.

2. In a magnetic recorder/reproducer particularly useful for dictatingand in which defined movement of the sound carrier is controlled by apush button array on the recorder/reproducer and remotely controlled bymarkings on said sound carrier and/or push buttons on a handset and thelike, the improvement comprising a lock pawl means for holding a pushbutton of said push button array in its operative position for definedmovement of said sound carrier, electromagnetic means operativelyconnected with said lock pawl means for releasing the lock pawl meanswhereby a push button of said push button array is disengaged and adiscrete movement is imparted to said sound carrier; saidelectromagnetic means comprising an electromagnet, circuit meansconnected with said electromagnet, an armature operatively connectedwith said electromagnet, means connected with said armature for movementtherewith, a first pivotally mounted rocking lever connected with saidmeans connected with said armature at one end of said first lever, theother end of said first lever being connected with said lock pawl meansvia an intermediate member for imparting movement to said lock pawl toits release position, and a second pivotally mounted rocking leverconnected with said means moveable with said armature at one end of saidsecond lever, the other end of said second lever being connected withidler pulley means for engaging the idler pulley with a driven wheel forimparting said discrete movement to said sound carrier.

3. In a magnetic tape recorder/reproducer particularly useful as adictating machine the combination therewith comprising a push buttonarray on said recorder/reproducer including push buttons controllingdefined movement of said tape, moveable lock pawl means for normallylocking said push buttons in their operative position and upon movementof said lock pawl means releasing said push buttons and stopping thesaid defined movement of said tape controlled thereby; separate meansincluding an idler wheel providing a discrete movement of said tape onelectromagnet and an associated electric circuit means for energizingsaid electromagnet, an armature moveable by said electromagnet, andmeans operatively connected with said armature for movement therewith,said last named means including a first lever operatively connected withboth said armature and said lock pawl means for release movement of saidlock pawl means upon movement of said armature whereby said definedmovement of said tape is interrupted, and a second lever operativelyconnected with both said armature and said separate means whereby saiddiscrete movement of said tape is commenced.

4. A magnetic tape recorder/reproducer according to claim 3 wherein saidelectric circuit means includes contacts closed by a conductive strip onsaid tape for substantially instantaneously operating said electromagnetto impart said release movement of said lock pawl means.

5. A magnetic tape recorder/reproducer according to claim 3 wherein saidelectric circuit means includes a switch provided on a remote controlunit for both said release movement of said lock pawl means and movementof said second lever for commencing said discrete movement.

6. A magnetic tape recorder/reproducer according to claim 3 wherein saidelectric circuit means includes contacts closed by a conductive strip onsaid tape and a circuit parallel thereto including a switch provided ona remote control unit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,468,198 4/1949Heller 179 100.2

2,676,212 4/1954 Williams 179100.2

2,793,253 5/ 1957 Howey.

2,908,767 10/1959 Fritzinger 179-1002 2,937,237 5/1960 Zanardo 179100.2X

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,180,107 12/ 1958 France.

BERNARD KONICK, Primary Examiner.

IRVING L. SRAGOW, Examiner.

1. IN A MAGNETIC TAPE RECORDER/REPRODUCER PARTICULARLY USEFUL AS ADICTATING MACHINE THE COMBINATION THEREWITH COMPRISING A SLOW REWINDCIRCUIT MEANS, AN ELECTROMAGNET CONTROLLED BY SAID CIRCUIT, AN ARMATUREMOVEABLE BY SAID ELECTROMAGNET, A ROD CONNECTED WITH SAID ARMATURE ANDMOVABLE THEREWITH, A FIRST PIVOTAL LEVER HAVING ONE END CONNECTED WITHSAID ROD AND ITS OTHER END CONNECTED WITH MEANS FOR CONTROLLINGTERMINATION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TAPE, A SECOND PIVOTAL LEVER HAVING ONEEND CONNECTED WITH SAID ROD, A SLOW REWIND IDLER WHEEL, A FLYWHEEL MEANSAND A WINDING TABLE MEANS, A BELT DRIVE BETWEEN SAID REWIND IDLER WHEELAND SAID WINDING TABLE MEANS, SAID REWIND IDLER WHEEL BEING ROTATABLYMOUNTED ON THE OTHER END OF SAID SECOND PIVOTAL LEVER AND MOVEABLE BYSAID LEVER INTO DRIVEN ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FLYWHEEL UPON MOVEMENT OFSAID ROD AND ARMATURE FOR DRIVING SAID TAPE